What does ALARA mean?

What does ALARA mean?

• A. As Low As Realistic Achievable
• B. As Low As Reasonably Achievable
• C. As Low As Regulated And Authorized
• D. As Low As Readily Achievable

Answer: (B)

ALARA means keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. It’s about actively reducing dose through practical, cost-conscious measures—using shielding, increasing distance, and limiting time, along with good administrative controls—while recognizing that some exposure may be unavoidable. The emphasis is on optimization: don’t chase absolute zero if the extra reduction would require disproportionate effort or cost given current technology. The other options miss this balance of feasibility and effort, misphrasing the concept or focusing on regulatory wording rather than practical optimization.

ALARA means keeping radiation exposure as low as reasonably achievable. It’s about actively reducing dose through practical, cost-conscious measures—using shielding, increasing distance, and limiting time, along with good administrative controls—while recognizing that some exposure may be unavoidable. The emphasis is on optimization: don’t chase absolute zero if the extra reduction would require disproportionate effort or cost given current technology. The other options miss this balance of feasibility and effort, misphrasing the concept or focusing on regulatory wording rather than practical optimization.